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Copyright 1918 
By Charles T. L. Allen 



JUL 22 1918 



M 



INTRODUCTORY 



111 presenting- the data herein, the author has in 
mind particularly the simplifying of Records of 
individual and personal accomplishment in the pres- 
ent War, either in Active Service; or in home work; 
or in any War work, voluntary or remunerated; or 
in War contributions, or in any or all of these; or 
in any effort put forward to furnish real help to 
our Government in its great work as the champion 
of Democracy, — Vv^orking in affiliation with other 
great Nations of the Earth, to make the World a 
safe and peaceful place in which to live. 

Aside from the interest which may be taken by 
the individual in the information contained in this 
book, it facilitates the keeping of the personal W^ar- 
Record of its possessor, — which may be kept for- 
ever. 

It is also a safeguard to its owner to this ex- 
tent: i. e. — it is imperative that you know the num- 
bers of your Bonds, etc. A record of them should 
he kept herein, and your Bonds and War-Savings 
Stamps, and your spare money, in the bank. Then 
}/ou will be safeguarded in every waj'. 

A separate record should be kept by every adult 
member, and for each of the children of a family, 
so that the^ may proudly show this record in after 
years. 

The incorporation in this brochure of the address 
of the President of the United States, delivered at 
a Joint Session of the Two Houses of Congress 
April 2, 1917, while not a copyrighted feature there- 
of, is considered by the author as a necessary fea- 
ture because of its wonderfulness in expressing the 
greatness of the purposes of the American Nation. 

Let us all go on fighting, working, giving, saving, 
''that the insfitntions which we hold dear shall not 
perish from the earth." 

In compiling this book one of the principal 
thoughts has been to create, in the mind of the 
inc!'^ 'dual, an additional incentive to stimulate him 
in his efforts to assist his Government, in every 
way in his power — and to record these efforts as 
he goes along in his good work. C. T. L. A. 



Printed in the United States. 



©GU504159 



MY WAR RECORD 



Name 



Street Address 



Citv or Town 



State 



Being a record of my personal efforts to "Do My 
Bit" in the Great World- War now being waged 
for the perpetuation of Freedom, and for the eman- 
cipation of the oppressed. 

And it is a record of which I am proud, and 
which I purpose shall be handed down to my fam- 
ily as evidence of the active interest I have taken, 
not only in mankind, but in the great ideals and 
purposes of my Wondrous Country — the United 
States of America — in the defense of Liberty, De- 
mocracy and Civilization. 

I am doing mv best. 



Published by 
Charles T. L. Allen, 

Rooms 807, ^08 and 809 East End Trust Building, 
Pittsburg li. Pa. 



U. S. LIBERTY LOAN BONDS 

I own, or have subscribed for. the following U. S. 
Liberty Loan Bonds. 

Liberty Loan No. 1 

No. of interim Bank receipt 



No. of temporary Bond _ „ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

No. of permanent Bond - 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Par Value ----- $ „ 

Term 15-30 years. Maturity 1947. Interest ZV-//c 

Interest payable June IS and December 15. 

Callable at par and accrued interest, at the option of 
the U. S, Governmtnt, on and after June IS, 19o2. 

Converted into Liberty J^oan No 



J3ate No. of Bond $. 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



Additional Purchases of Liberty Loan No. 1 Bonds 
Date No. of Bond % 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



I^iberty Loan No. 2 

No. of interim Bank receipt 



No. of temporary Bond _ _ _ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

No. of permanent l^ond 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Par Value ----- $ _ 

Term 10-25 years. Maturity 1942. Interest 4% 

Interest payable May 15 and November 15 

Callable at par and accrued interest at the option of 
the U. S. Government, on and after November 15, 1927. 

Converted into Libert}' Loan No 

Date No. of Bond „ : $. 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



Additional Purchases of Liberty Loan No. 2 Bonds 

Date No. of Bond $ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



U. S. LIBERTY LOAN BONDS 

I own. or have subscribed for, the following U. S. 
Liberty Loan Bonds. 



Liberty Loan No. 3 
No. of interim Bank receipt „ 



No. of temporary Bond „ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

No. of permanent Bond 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Par Value ----- $ 

Term 10 vears. Maturity 1928. Interest 4^%. 

Inlfrcft payable March 15 and September 15. / 

Not redeemable before maturity. 



Additional Purchases of Liberty Loan No. 3 Bonds 

Date No. of Bond $ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



Liberty Loan No. 4 

No. of interim Bank receipt 



No. of temporary Bond „ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

No. of pcrnianent Bond 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Par Value ----- $ 

Term years. Matu-ity Interest %. 

Interest- paj'aMe 

Callable oi redeemaVde 



Additional Purchases of Liberty Loan No. 4 Bonds 

Date No. of Bond _ $. 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



CONVERSIONS OF 
U. S. LIBERTY LOAN BONDS 

I have converted my Liberty Loan Bond No. 1 
for a Bond of similar value in Liberty Loan No, 2. 



No. of New (temporary "i Bond _ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



No, of New (permanent) Bond _ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Value $ Rate of Interest 4% 

Term 15-30 years. Due j947. 

Interest payable June 15 and December 15. 

Callable at par and accrued interest, at tiic option of the 
U. S. Government, on and after June 15, 1932. 

Additional purchases _ 



D ate No. of Bon d...,. $.. 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



I have converted my Liberty Loan Bond No. 1 
for a Bond of similar value in Liberty Loan No. 3. 

No, of New (lemporary) Bond... _ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

No, of New (permanent) Bond 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Value $ .: Rate of Interest 4,^4% 

Term 15-30 years. Due 1947. 

Interest payable June 15 and December 15. 

Callable at par and accrued interest, at the option of the 
U. S. Government, f>n and after June 15, 1932. 



Additional purchases 



Date '. No. of Bond '...'. $.. 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



CONVERSIONS OF 
U. S. LIBERTY LOAN BONDS 

I have converted my Liberty Loan Bond No. 2 
for a Bond of similar value in Liberty Loan No. 3. 

No. of New (permanent) Bond „ „ 

Coupon (or) Reg^istered Bond 

No, of New (temporary) Bond 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Value $ Rate of Interest 4%% 

Term 10-25 years. Due 1942. 

Interest payable May 15 and November 15. 

Callable at par and accrued interest, at the option of tie 
U. S. Government, on and after November 15, 1927. 

Additional purchases _ _ 

Date No. of Bond $ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



INFORMATION REGARDING CONVERSIONS 

Liberty Loan Bonds No. 1 

Are convertible at par, into higher rate bonds issued during 
the war, within six months after date of such issue. Ma- 
turity, interest dates and redemption the same as these 
bonds, but in other respects ?amc as new tssue. 

Libert}' Loan Bonds No. 2 

Are convertible at par, into the next issue of higher rate 
bonds, maturing in not less than five years, issued during 
the war, within six months after date of such issue. Ma- 
turity, interest dates and redemption the same as these bonds, 
but in other respects the same as new issue. Conversion 
privilege lapses if it shall once arise and shall not be exer- 
cised. (The piivilege having arisen with the offer of 4^s, 
lapses on November 9, 1918, if not exercised before that 
date.) 

Liberty Loan Bonds No. 3 

Are not convertible into future issues. 

The statement las been ofYicially made that further issues 
will not be convertible. 



U. S. LIBERTY LOAN BONDS 

I own, or have subscribed for, the following U. S. 
Liberty Lean Bonds. 



Liberty Loan No. 5 

No. of interim Bank receipt 



No. of temporary Bond _ _ _ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

No. of permanent Bond _ 

Cor.pon (or) Kegistered Bond 

Par Value ----- $ 

Term years. Maturity Interest %. 

Interest rayable 

Callable or redeemable 



Additional Purchases of Liberty Loan No. 5 Bonds 

Date No. of Bond $ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



Liberty Loan No. 6 

No. of interim Bank receipt > 



No. of temporary Bond 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

No. of permanent Bond _ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Par Value - - •• - - $ .^ 

Term years. Maturity Interest %. 

Interest payable ..., 

Callable or redeemable 



Additional Purchases of Liberty Loan No. 6 Bonds 
Date No. of Bond $ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



U. S. LIBERTY LOAN BONDS 

I own, or have subscribed for, the following U. S. 
Liberty Loan Bonds. 

Liberty Loan No, 7 

No. of interim Bank receipt - 



No. of temporary Bond 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



No. of permanent Bond - 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



Par Value ----- $. — ~ 

Term years. Maturity Interest %. 

Interest payable 

Callable or redeemable . 



Additional Purchases of Liberty Loan No. 7 Bonds 

Date No. of Bond $ 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



Liberty Loan No. 8 

No. of interim Bank receipt 



No. of tcmporarj^ Bond - 

Coupon (or"* Registered Bond 



No. of permanent Bond - - 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 

Par Value ----- $ - - ^ 

Tern-, years. Maturity. - Interest %. 

Interest payable - ----^ --— - ■■"• 

Callable or redeenriable r- -Ht 

Additional Purchases of Liberty Loan No. 8 Bonds 

Date No. of Bond. $■•■•• 

Coupon (or) Registered Bond 



U. S. GOVERNMENT THRIFT CARDS 

These are the ci.rds to which are affixed the 25-Cent Thrift 
Stamps, as purchased. 

(See record of excharges into War-Savings Stamps 
on the opposite page.) 

Date Date Date 

Commenced Completed Exchanged Cost 



I bought these (at or from) „ 

I subscribed for these through the postman „ 

1 subscribed for these through the postofTice at 



Remember that the Twenty-five Cent Thrift Stamps do not 
bear interest. 

Thrift Stamps as such are not directly redeemable in casli, 
but a Thrift Card with 16 Thrift Stamps attached may be 
exchanged al a post office or other authorized agency, on or 
before December 31, 2918, for a War-Savings Stamp upon 
making the addiionai payment required of from 12 to 23 cents. 

War-Savings Certificates, however, may be redeemed prior 
to maturity upon surrender at any money-order post office 10 
days after such post office has received from the owner a 
written demand for payment. The redemption value of a War- 
Savings Stamp affixed to a War-Savings Certificate was $4.12 
during JaruEry, 1^'18. One ci-nt is added to this redemption 
value in each succeeding month up to December 1, 1922, and 
on January 1, 1923, $5 will be payable for each War-Siavings 
Stamp affiled to a War-Savings Certificate. 



U. S. WAR-SAVINGS CERTIFICATES 
(or "Baby-Bonds'O 

spaces are provided on the War-Savings Certificates for 26 
War-Savings Stamps. For each of these Stamps affixed to 
the Certificate the United States Government will pay you 
$5.00 on January 1, 1923. 

A complete Certificate holds Twenty $5.00 Stamps. 

War-Savings Certificates may be registered in your nanic, 
if so desired. This furnishes additional security. 

Date (or) Date Par Amount of 

Purchased Exchanged Value Net Cost 

$ .: $ 

: $ - - $-- -- - 



$ $-. 

$ $.. 

$ . $-. 

$ ^ :.- $.. 

$ $.. 

$ $.. 



$ $ 

1 have pledged myself to buy (par amount) $. 

War-Savings Stamps by (date) „ 

I am a member of the Pershing Limit Club of „.. 

(par amount) $l,OOQ.6o. 

] am pledged to the Women's War Council of... 



for War-Savings Stamp purchases (par amount) 

$ 

1 am a member of the War-Savings Society of .- 



War-Savings Certificates should be kept in a Safety De- 
posit Vault, or in some safe place. 

No person is entitled to hold more than $1,000.00 (par 
value) in United States War-Savings Certificates. 

War-Savings Stamps and Certificates are rree of normal Fed- 
eral and State taxes. 

Buy War-Savings Stamps for yourselves and the babies 
now. 



SUBSCRIPTIONS TO WAR FUNDS OF 
NATIONAL AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS 

I have subscribed to the following Funds: 
Red Cross 

Campaign No. 1, at Date $ 

Campaign No. 2, at Date $ _ 

Campaign No. 3, at _ Date $. 

Campaign No. 4 at _ Date $ 

Y. M. C. A. 

Campaign No. 1, at Date $ 

Campaign No. 2, at _ Date $ 

Campaign No. 3, at Date _ $ 

Y. W. C. A. 

Campaign No. 1. at Date $ 

Campaign No. 2, at „ Date $ 

K. of C. 

Campaign No. 1, at Date $......::;... 

Campaign No. 2, at Date $ 

Campaign No. 3, at Date $. 

Y. M. H. A. 

Campaign No. 1, at „ Date $ 

Campaign No. 2, at Date $ 

Campaign No. 3, at „ Date - $.....- 

Salvation Army 

Campaign No. 1, at Date $ .- 

Campaign No. 2, at Date $ ..-. 



FOREIGN RELIEF AND OTHER FUNDS 
SUBSCRIBED TO DURING THE WAR 

Jewish War Sufferers' Fund $ 

Jewish Soldiers and Sailors Fund $ 

Zionist Movement Fund $ 



.American Fund for French Wounded ^ 

(Money, surgical dressinsrs, hospital garments, dispensary and 
other supplies). 

American Fund for English Wounded $ „ 

American Fund for Italian Wounded $ 

American Fund for Wounded $. .,,. 

American Fund for Wounded $ 

I^elgian Relief Fund _ ?....„ ......$ 

Polish Relief Fun d $. 

Russian Relief Fund $. 

Serbian Relief Fund _ $ 

Rumanian Relief Fund $ _..„ 

Armenian Relief Fund , $ 

Montenegrin Relief Fund „ $ 

Macedonian Relief Fun d $. 

Relief Fund $. 

Relief Fund $ ... 

(N. Y.) Life's Baby Fund $. 

(For the maintenance of fatherless children in France). 

American Marines Club in France $ _ ... 

American Marines Club in '. .$ 

Smileage Books :$...!.... 



ACTIVE WAR SERVICE 

(For record of battles or engagements, see my diary). 

Enlisted or Registered in _ „ 

Age Date 

County of _ State of 

Number of registration certificate. ...... 

Date - 

New registration number replacing same 

Date of examination At „ 

Called to the Colors of _ _ 

Drilled temporarily 

Previously was a member of National Guard, 

or Naval Now known as 



Assigned to Date- 
Transferred to Date. 

Transferred to -..Date. 

Transferred to Date. 

Engaged in the capacity of _ 

Left Date „ For 

Arrived at Date _ 

Transferred Date _ 

Assigned to Date.. 

Assigned to Date- 
Assigned to i _ Date.. 

-Red Cross Work at Date. 

Y. M. C. A. Canteen at Date. 



ACTIVE WAR SERVICE 

Sailed on S. S. . _ Date. 

Convoyed by ,. 



From the port of Date 

Arrived at Fort of Date 

Arrived at in England. Date. 

Arrived at ..„ ...._ in France. Date- 
Arrived at in Italy. Date- 
Arrived at in Russia. Date.. 



I have served in the following branches of the 
Service: 



I am carrying War Risk Insurance to the amount 

of $ Certificate No Premium 

$ Dated Beneficiary. 

:;. Address _ „ „. 

I received the following Decorations for Distin- 
guished Service : 



1 was honorably discharged from Service at 
_ Date Remarks 



Entered as a - Finished as a.. 



HOME VOLUNTEER SERVICE 

I am a member of the Home Defense Corps. 



Number of registration certificate — — 

Age _ - - Date _. - 

1 am serving in the capacity of - 

J am a member of the following clubs and organiza- 
tions whose purpose is war work -.™ 



I helped in the following subscriptions: 

Liberty Bonds War Stamps American Red Cross 

Date $ Date $.....- Date $ 

Date $ Date $....._ Date „._ $....._ 

Date $ Date $. Date S 

Y. M. C. A. K. of C. Y. M. H. A. 

Date $ Date $. Date — $ _ 

Date $ „... Date $ „....„ Date _..$ - 

Date $ Date $ Date -....„..$ 

Miscellaneous Date — $. _ 

Miscellaneous Date — $ -.... 

J have a War Garden, or I am interested in a War 

Garden, or work in a War Garden at _ _ ~ 

Am doing voluntary agricultural work at 

] am also working actively for — 

I am a member of the Land Colony _... 



T practice sharpshooting at — 

] am "mothering," "fathering" or "brothering" a 

soldier or sailor , 



HOME VOLUNTEER SERVICE 

T write letters to these (not related) soldiers or 
sailors: „ „ 

1 send papers to these (not related) soldiers or 

sailors: _ _.... 

I am a member of the Military Club at _ 

1 am a member of the Women's Defense League of 



I am a member of Home Sewing Club at.. 
i am a member of Farm Sewing Club at.. 
I help maintain a "Shell Rooth" at 



1 


am 


a 


member 


of the 


Sc 


(Idiers 


Comfort League 


of 


I 

at 


am. 








.in 


Vocat 


ional Re-Education 



U. S. Re-EducEtional Movement (for Disabled Soldiers or 
Sailors). 

I am a member of the Liberty Club of „ „.. 



I am a member of the Lo3'-alty League (foreign) of 

] am a mem.ber of the ''Blue Gowns" of. - 

I help in Chaplain Aid Association work at 

I help in American Relief Work at 

I help in American Defense Society work at 

I put in a full day's work, and I observe meatless and 
wheatless days and all the regulations which my country puts 
up to me to follow ; make my purchases, etc., at seasonable 
times; and shall continue to do. so, and to influence my 
friends similarly. 

I am also making old things over and economizing. 



AMERICAN RED CROSS WORK 

I am a member of the American Red Cross. 

Amount paid in $ Amount due $ 

1 am actively engaged in the following Red Cross 
Work: -.. 



Army and Navy Nurse Corps. 

Nurses' Reserve - 

New War Nursing Class 

Hospital Work 

Nursing 

Ambulance Mork _ 



Red Cross Motor Car Driving 

Red Cross Canteen Service 

Clerical Work 



1 am interested in the Red Cross Convalescent 
House at - _ 

I am a member of Auxiliary at...._ 

1 devote hours per to Red Cross Work 

at - - 

making _...„ 

Knitting done -.,. „. 

Socks Sweaters .- 

Head bands Helmets , 

Miscellaneous 

T subscribe to the Red Cross Magazine. Date 



I 



MISCELLANEOUS WAR ACTIVITIES 

I have served my country in the following ways: 

Women's Land Colony ..„ 

Date _ _.. 

Mothers' Association Work Date 

Soldiers & Sailors Club.. Date 

Sailors Home & Institute Date 

Farms for Soldiers' Movement at „ 

- Date - 

Women's Auxiliary Armv Corps at __ 

Date ....; 

Convalescent H ome .Date „ „ _ „.. 

Home Hospital at _ Date 

Fatherless Children of France Movement for „ „ 

Adopting War children „Date _ 

(General reishinc; has ruiopted two French War children). 

American Defense Society Date 

War Communit}'- Service Date _ 

Navy League Date 

Hospitality House at „ 

Care of Soldiers and Sailors Wives at _ 



J am active in the "Women to the Top" Movement 

at ~ — 

Women's Land Army of America... 

_ Date -. 

Vacation work done at -.. • - - 

Date - 

Saturday work done at - 

„ Dale : - 



JUNIOR SOLDIERS 

BOY SCOUTS rind GIRL SCOUTS 

AND YOUTHFUL WAR ORGANIZATIONS 

I am a member of the Boy Scouts of..'... „ 



(There are over 100,000 former Boy Scouts in the American 
Ariny in Fisnce). 

I am a member of the Junior Marines of _... 

1 am a member of the Junior Naval Reserve ;. 



1 help in the U. S. Boys' Working Reserve Move- 
ment at '. _ -... 

1 am a member of the Girl Scouts of 



1 am a member of the George Junior Republic of 

\ helped in the sale of Liberty Loan Bonds: Nos. 

Date $....._ Date .:.... „...$..... 

]3ate $....„ Date .$ „ 

I helped in the sale of Thrift and War-Savings 
Stanips- 

Date $ :.Date $. 

Date $..:.; Date : $........:. 

1 help in a War Garden at ..-Date 

;...;.. Date „ „.. .... 

1 help a farmer at ... _ Date - 

X'^acation work done at _ „ 

Saturday work done at .". 

Scout Police work done at 

Bicycle Working Squad activities at _ 

1 am a member of the Jimior Red Cross of 

1 am £ member of the School Garden Army of 



1 am a member of the Camp Fire Girls' Guardian 
Association of _ 



REMUNERATED WAR- INDUSTRY WORK 
I have served my country in the following branches : 

In Agricultural work at ; 

In Ship-building work at „ _ 

in Ammunition work at ......_ .,. 

Tn Explosives A4!anufacturing at :., 

In U. S. Government constructions at „. 

In ;. Mining at ' - 

Tn Aeroplane manufacturing at ._ 

In Chemical Laboratory at _ '. 

In Textile factory manufacturing at _ 

In Machine w^ork at ; _ ■ : 

Tn Transportation work at .•._ _ ,. .. 

1 n Clerical work at........... ,. _ ; 

Tn Forestry work at ...., ....... 

In Steel plant at *..- 

In Government Clerical work at ..:.. „. ....^... .. 



Class of Work ,.....„ _... 

Farm Plattsburg l :......... ::.. .^ 

Liberty Camp ...„ 

Farm Training Camp _ 

Boys' War Clubs 

Agricultural Unit : , 

Industrial Unit ;:.. _ _ lii ... 

Vocational Unit '. 

I am a member of the LT. S. Boys' Working Reserve 
at » :... 



I 


took 


up 


th 


c followin 


g 


WO] 


rk 


during 


my 


vacation 


I 


engaged 


in 


Saturday 


work 


at. 




■•■-"-■ 


••■"- 



CONCLUSION 



To be a really good citizen in this War, those of 
us who are not in active service should not only 
subscribe to all issues of Liberty Bonds; to the 
various calls of the American Red Cross; and for 
Thrift and War-Savings Stamps, but we should also 
do all we can to observe every request made by our 
Government, especially with regard to avoiding 
waste; to encourage War Gardens; to be the 
"mother" or the "father" of some soldier, in so far 
as we may be permitted to do so, (if we have none 
of our ovv^n in the service) ; to help in Red Cross 
work at home; to subscribe to the Y. M. C. A., 
the K. of C. or Y. M. H. A., and other similar 
funds; and to discourage even the semblance of 
dislo3^al utterances, — to check same, and, if con- 
tinued, to report them. 

It is distinctly disloyal to sell any of our Liberty 
Bonds, or Thrift or War-Savings Stamps, unless 
absolute necessity compels such action. Those who 
hold their Liberty Bonds and War-Savings and 
Thrift Stamps until they mature are sure to receive 
par value for them, plu^; the interest. 

And — don't let anyone persuade you to exchange 
your Liberty Bonds or War-Savings Stamps for 
something which they may tell you is "just as good." 
Nothing can be as good as U. S. Government se- 
curities! 

Selling Liberty Bonds now only depreciates the 
market. When the war is ended these bonds will, 
in all likelihood, be quoted at a premium long be- 
fore they are due. 

Remember, that in times of peace the U. S. Gov- 
ernment Bonds have sold as high as $139.00 (par 
value $100.00). 

Liberty Loan Bonds and War-Savings Stamps 
appeal to more than pride of possession — they are 
your badge of honor. These Bonds are not merely 
money — they make you a partner of Uncle Sam! 

C. T. L. A. 



THE PRESIDENT'S WAR MESSAGE 



ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDPINT OF THE UNITED 
STATES DELIVERED AT A JOINT SESSION OF THE 
TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS, APRIL 2, 1917. 



Gentlemen of the Congress : 

I have called the Congress into extraorclinarj' session be- 
cause there are serious, very serious, choices of policy to be 
marl e_ and rr.nde immediately, which it was neither right nor 
coristitutionally permissible that I shoulci assume the respon- 
sibility of miiking-. 

On the third or Februarj' last I officially laid before you 
the extraordinary announcement of the Imperial German Gov- 
ernment that on and after the first day of February it was 
its purpose to put aside all restraints of law or of humanity 
and use its submarines to sink every vessel that sought to 
approach either the ports of Great Britain and Ireland, or 
the western coasts of Europe, or any of the ports controlled 
by the enem.ies of Germany within the Mediterranean. That 
had seemed to be tlie object of the German submarine war- 
fare earlier in the war, but since April of last year the Im- 
perial Government had somewhat restrained the commainders 
of its undersea craft in conform.ity with its promise then 
given to us that passenger boats should not be sunk and 
that due warninj-j would be given to all other vessels which 
its submarines might seek to destroy when no resistance was 
offered or escrpe attempted, and care taken that their crews 
were given at least a fair chance to save their lives in their 
open boats. The precautions taken were meagre and hap- 
hazard enoirgh, as was proved in distressing instance after 
instance in the i^rogress of tht cruel and unmanly business, 
but a certain degree of restraint was observed. 

Final Indictment of German Frightfulness 

The new policy has swept every restriction aside. Vessels 
of every kind, wliatever their fir.g, their c)iaracter, their cargo, 
their destination, their errand, have been ruthlessly sent to 
the bottom without warning and without thought of help or 
mercy for those on board, the vessels of friendly neutrals 
along v/ith those of belligerents. Even hospital ships and 
ships carrying relief to the sorely bereaved and stricken peo- 
ple of Belgium, though the latter were provided with safe 
conduct through the prescribed areas by the German Gov- 
ernment itself and were distinguished by unmistakable marks 
of identity, have been sunk v/ith the same reckless lack of 
compassion or of principle. 

I was for a little while unable to believe that such things 
would in fact be done by any government that had hitherto 
subscribed to the humane practices of civilized nations. In- 
ternational law had its origin in the attempt to set up some 
law which would be respected and observed upon the seas 
where no nation had right of dominion and where lay the 
•free highways of the world. By painful stage after stage 
has that law been built up, with meagre enough results in- 
deed, after all was accomplished that couicl T)e accomplished, 



but alwaj's with a clear view, at least, of what the heart and 
conscience of mankind demanded. 

Because it had no Weapons but these 

Tliis minimuni of rig'ht the German Government has swept 
aside under the plea of retaliation and necessity and because 
it had no weapons which it could use a? sea except those 
which it is impossible to employ as it is employing them with- 
out throwing to the winds all scruples oi humanity or of 
respect for the understandings that were supposed to underlie 
the intercourse of the world. I am not now thinking of the 
loss of property involved, immense and serious as that is, 
hut only of the wanton and wholesale destruction of the lives 
of non-combatants, men, women, and children engaged in 
pursuits which have slwi-ys, even in the darkest periods of 
modern history, been deemed innocent and legitimate. Prop- 
erty can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent peo- 
ple cannot be 

German Warfare is against Mankind 

The present German submarine warfare against commerce 
is a warfare ap-ainsl. mrinkind. 

It is a war against all nations. American ships have been 
sunk, American lives taken, in ways which it has stirred us 
very deeply to lean; of, but ships and people of other neutral 
and friendly rations hnvc been sunk and overwhelmed in 
the waters in th;- same way. There has been no discrimina- 
tion. The ch?»lknge is to all mankind. Each nation must 
decide for itself how it v/ill meet it. The choice we make 
for ourselves must be made with a moderation of counsel 
and a temptrateness of judgmicnt befitting our character and 
our motives as a riation. We must put excited feeling away. 
Our motive will not be revenge or the victorious assertion of 
the physical rvAght of the nation, but only the vindication of 
.nght, of human right, of which we are only a single champion. 

It now Appears Armed Neutrality is impracticable 

When I addressed the Congress on the twenty-sixth of 
February last I thought that it would suffice to assert our 
neutral rights with arms, our ri^rht to use the seas against 
unlawful interference, our right to keep our people safe against 
unlawful violence. But armed neutrality, it now appears, is 
impracticable. Because stibmarines are in effect outlaws when 
used as the German submarines have been used against mer- 
chant shippinjj, it is impossible to defend ships against their 
attacks as the law of nations has assumed that merchantrnen 
would defend themselves against privateers or cruisers, visible 
craft giving cliase upon the open sea. 

It is common prudence, in such circumstances, grim neces- 
sity indeed, to endeavor to destroy them before they have 
shown their own intention. They must be dealt with upon 
sight, if dealt with at all. The German aovernment denies 
the right of neutrals to use arm.s at all within the areas of 
the sea which it has proscribed, even in the defence of rights 
which no mc-dern publicist has ever before questioned their 
right to defend. 

The intimation is conveyed that the arm.ed guards which 
We have placed on cur merchant ships will be treated _ as 
beyond the pale of law and subject to be dealt with as pirates 
would be. 

Armed neutrality is ineffectual enough at best; in such 



circumstances an<,l in the face of such pretentions it is worse 
than ineffectual; it is likely only to produce what it was 
meant to prevent; it is prr.ctically certain to draw us into 
the war without either the rights or the effectiveness of bel- 
ligerents. 

There is One Choice we cannot make 
There is one choice we cannot make, we are incapable 
of making. We will not choose the path of submission and 
suffer the most sacred rights oi our nation and our people 
to be ignored or violated. The wrongs against which we now 
array ourselves arc no common wrongs; they cut to the very 
roots of human life. 

In Fact, Nothing less than War 

With a profound sense of the solemn and even tragical 
character of the step T am taking and of the grave responsi- 
bilities which it involves, but in unhesitating obedience to 
what I deem my constitutional duty, 1 advise that the Con- 
gress declare the recent course of the Im.perial German Gov- 
ernment to be in fact nothing less than war against the 
government and people of the United States; that it formally 
accept the status of belligerent which has thus been thrust 
upon it ; and that it take immediate steps not only to put the 
country in a more thorough state of defence, but also to 
exert all its power and employ all its resources to bring the 
government of the German Empire to terms and end the war. 
What this will Involve is Clear 

What this will involve is clear. It will involve the utmost 
practicable co-operation in counsel and action with the gov- 
ernments now at war with Germany, and, as incident to 
that, the extension to those governments of the most liberal 
financial credits in order that our resources maj', so far as 
possible, be added to theirs. It will involve the organization 
and mobilization of all the material resources of the country 
to supply the materials of war and serve the incidental needs 
of the nation in the most abundant, and yet the most eco- 
nomical and efficient way possible. 

It will involve the immediate full equipment of the navy 
in all respects, but particularly in supplying it with the best 
means of dealing with the enemy's submarTnes. It will in- 
volve the immediate addition to the armed forces of the United 
States already provided for by law in case of war, at least 
500,000 men, who shotild, in my opinion, be chosen upon the 
principle of universal liability to service, and also the au- 
thorization of subsequent additional increments of equal force 
so soon as they may be needed and can be handled in training. 

It will involve, also, of course, the granting of adequate 
credits to the Government, sustained, I hope, so far as they 
can equitably be .'sustained by the present generation, by well 
conceived taxation. I say suslf.ined so far as may be equitable 
by taxation because it seems to me that it v/ould be most un- 
wise to base the ci edits which will now be necessary entirely 
on money borrowed. It is our dv.ty, I most respectfully urge, 
to protect our people so far as we may against the very 
serious hardships and evils which would be likely to arise 
out of the infliction which would be produced by vast loans. 
Must not interfere with Allied Munitions 

In carrying out the measures by which these things are to 
be accomplished, we should keep constantly in mind the wis- 
dom of interfering as little as possible in our own preparation 



and in the cqui])ment of our own military forces with the 
duty — for it will be a very practical duty — of supplying the 
nations already at war with Germany with the materials which 
they can obtain cnly from us or by our assistance. They ire 
in the field and we should help them in every way to be 
elTective there. 

. I shall take the liberty of suggesting, through the several 
executive departments of the Government fcr the consideration 
of your ccniiuittees, m.easures for the accomplishment of the 
several objects I Lsve mentioned. I hope that it will be your 
pleasure to deal with them as having been framed after very 
careful thought by the branch of the government upon which 
the responsibility of conducting the war and safeguarding the 
nation will most directly fall. 

While we do These Things 

While we do these things, these deeply momentous things, 
let us be very clear and make very clear to all the world 
what our motives and our objects are. My own thought has 
not been driven from its habitual and normal course by Ihe 
unhappy events of the last two months, and I do not believe 
that the thought of the nation has been altered or clouded 
by them. 

• I have exactly the same things in mind now that I had 
in m.ind when I addressed the Senate on the 22d of January 
last ; the same that I had in mind when I addressed the 
Congress on the 3d of February and on the 26th of February. 
Our object now, as then, is to vindicate the principles of 
peace and justice in the life of .the world as against selfish 
and autocratic pov.er, and to set up amongst the really free 
and self-governed peoples of the world such a concert of pur- 
pose and of action as will henceforth insure the observance 
of those principles. 

One Morality for Nations and Persons 

Neutrality is no longer feasible or desirable where the peace 
of the world is involved and the freedom of its peoples, and 
the menace to tljat peace and freedom lies in the existence of 
autocr.itic governm.ents backed by organized force which is 
controlled wholly by tlieir will, not by the will of their peo- 
ple. We have seen the last of neutrality in such circumstances. 

We are at the beginning of an age in which it will be 
insisted that the sr.me standards of conduct and of responsi- 
bility for wrong done shall b^ observed among nations and 
their governments that are observed among the individual citi- 
zens of civilized states. 

We have No Quarrel with the German People 

We have no quai-rel with the German people. We have 
no feeling towards them but one of sympathy and friendship. 
It was not upon their impulse that their Government acted 
in entering this war. It was not with their previous knowl- 
edge or approval. 

it was a war determined upon as wars used to be deter- 
mined upon in the old, unhappy days vmcn peoples were no- 
where consulted by their rulers and wars were provoked and 
waged in the interests of dynasties or of little groups of 
ambitious n:i.en who were accustomed to use their fellow men 
as pawns and tools. 

Self-governed ritions do not fiH their neighbor states with 
spies or set the course of intrigue to bring about some criti- 



cal posture of affairs whicl- will give them an opportunity 
to strike and make conquest. Such designs can be success- 
fully worked out only under cover and where no one has 
the right to ask questions. 

Cunningly contrived plans of deception or aggression, car- 
ried, it may be, from generation to generation, can be worked 
out and kept from the light only within the privacy of courts 
or behind the carefully guarded confidences of a narrow and 
privileged class. They are happily impossible where public 
opinion commands and insists \ipon full information concern- 
ing all the nation's afi'airs. 

It must be a League of Honor 

A steadfast concert for peace can never be maintained ex- 
cept by a partnership of democratic nations. No autocratic 
government could be trusted to keep faith within it or ob- 
serve its covenants. 

It must be a league of honor, a partnership of opinion. In- 
trigue would eat its vitals away ; the plottings of inner circles 
who could plan what they would and render account to no 
one would be a corruption seated at its very rieart. Only free 
peoples can hold their purpose and their honor steady to a 
common end and prefer the interests of mankind to any 
narrow interest of their own. 

Here is a Fit Partner 

Does not every American feel that assurance has been 
added to our hope for the future peace of the world by the 
wonderful and her.rtening things that have been happening 
within the last few weeks in Russia? 

Russia was knov.'n by those who knew it best to have been 
always in fact democratic at heart, in all the vital habits of 
her thought, in all the intim.ate relationships of lier people 
that spoke their natural instinct, their habitual attitude towards 
life. 

The autocracy that crowned the summit of her political 
structure, long as it had stood and terrible as was the reality 
of its power, was not in fact Russian in origin, character, 
or purpose, and now it has been shaken off and the great 
generous Russian people have been added in all their native 
majesty and might to the forces that are fighting for freedom 
in the world, for justice and for peace. Here is a fit partner 
for a League of Honor. 

Spies vi'cre here before the War began 

One of the things that lias served to convince us that the 
Prussian autocracy was not and could never be our friend 
is that from the very outset of the present war it has filled 
our unsuspecting communities, and even our offices of gov- 
ernment, with spies, and set criminal intrigues everywhere 
afoot against our national unity of counsel, our peace within 
and without, our industries and our commerce. 

Indeed, it is now evident that its spies were here even be- 
fore the war begen ; and it is unhappily not a matter of con- 
jecture but a fact proved in our courts oi justice that the 
intrigues which hf.ve more than once come perilously near 
to disturbing the peace and dislocating the indu.'=:tries of the 
country have been carried on at the instigation, with the 
support, and even under the personal direction of official 
agents of the Imperial Government accredited to the Gov- 
ernment of the United States. 



Even in checking these thing^s and trying to extirpate them 
we have sought to put the most generous interpretation pos- 
"sible upon them, because we knew that their source lay, not 
in any hostile feeling or purpose of the German people to- 
wards us (who were, no doubt, as ignorant of them as we 
ourselves were), but only in the selfish designs of a Govern- 
ment that did what it pleased and told its people nothing. 
But the}' have played their part in serving to convince us 
at last that that Government entertains no real friendship for 
lis and means to act against our peace and security at its 
convenience. 

For the Ultimate Peace of the World 

Tiiat it rricans to stir up enemies against us at our very 
doors the iiitercepttd note lo the German Minister at Mexico 
City is eloquent evidence. 

We are accepting this challenge of hostile purpose because 
we know that in such a government, following such meth- 
ods, we can never liave a friend ; and that in the presence 
of its organized power, always lying in wait to accomplish 
we know not what purpose, there can be no assured security 
for The democratic governimrnts of the world. 

We are now about to accept gage of battle with this nattiral 
foe to liberty and shall, if necessary, spend the whole force 
of the nation to check and nullify its pretentions and its 
power. We are glad, now that we see the facts with no veil 
of false pretence about them, lo fight thus for the ultimate 
peace of the world and for the liberation of its peoples, the 
German peoples included ; for the rights of nations, great and 
small, and the privilege of men everywhere to choose their 
way of life and of obedience. The world must be made safe 
for democrc<cy ; its peace must be planted upon tested founda- 
tions of political liberty. 

We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, 
no dominion. Wc seek no indemnities for ourselves, no ma- 
terial compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. 
We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. 
We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as 
secure as the faith and the freedomi of the nations can make 
them. 

Jitst because we fight without rancor and without selfish 
object, seeking ncihing for ourselves but what we shall wish 
to share with all free peoples, we shall. I feel confident, con- 
duct our operations as belligerents v/ithout passion and our- 
selves observe v/ith proud ptmctilio the principles of right 
and of fair play we profess to be fighting for. 

Will Deal with Austria later 

T have said nothing of the governments allied with the 
Imperial Government of Germany because they have not 
made war -upon us or challenged us to defend our right and 
our honor. The Austro- Hungarian Government has, indeed, 
avowed its unqualified indorsement ana acceptance of the 
reckless, lawless submarine warfare adopter now without dis- 
guise by the Imperial German Government,, and it has, there- 
fore, not been possible for this Government to receive Count 
Tarnowski, the Ambassador recently accredited to this Gov- 
ernment by the Imperial and Royal Government of Austria- 
Hungary ; but that Government has not actually engaged in 
warfare against citizens of the United States on the seas, 



and I take the liberty, for the present at least, of postponing 
a discussion of cur relations with the authorities at Vienna. 
We enter this war only where we are clearly forced into it 
because there are no other means of defending our rights. 

Because we act without Animus 

It will be all the easier for us to conduct ourselves as 
belligerents in a high spirit of right and fairness because we 
act without animus, not in enmity towards a people or with 
the desire to bring any injury or disadvantage upon them, 
but only in armed opposition to an irresponsible Government 
which has thrown aside all considerations of humanity and 
of right and is running- amuck. 

We are, let me say again, the sincere friends of the Ger- 
man people, and shall desire nothing so much as the early 
re-establishment ol intimate relations of murual advantage be- 
tween us, however hard it may be for them, for the time 
being, to believe that ihis is spoken from our hearts. We 
have borne with their present government through all these 
bitter m.onths because of that friendship — exercising a patience 
and forbearance which would otherwise have been impossible. 
The Millions of German Birth who live among us 

We shall, happily, still have an opportunity to Throve that 
friendship in oui daily attitude and actions toward the mil- 
lions of men and women of German birth and native sym- 
pathy who live amongst us and share our life, and we shall 
be proud to prove it towards all who are in fact loyal to 
their neighbors and to the Government in the hour of test. 
They are, most of them, as true and loyal Americans as if 
they had never known any other fealty or allegiance. They 
will be prompt to stand with us in rebuking and restraining 
the few who may be of a different mind and purpose. 
If There Should Be Disloyalty 

If there should be disloyalty, it will be dealt with with a 
firm hand of stem repression; but, if it lifts its head at all, 
it will lift it only here and there and without countenance 
except from a lawless and malignant few. 

It is a distressing and oppressive duty, gentlemen of the 
Congress, which I have performed in thus addressing you. 
There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacri- 
fice ahead of u.s. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peace- 
ful people into w?r, into the most terrible and disastrous of 
all wars, civilization itself seem.ing to be in the balance. Bat 
the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for 
the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts — 
for democre^cy, for the right of those wrio submit to. author- 
ity to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights 
and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of 
right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace 
and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last 
free. 

Privileged to spend her r:iood 

To such a task we can dedic&tc our lives and our fortunes, 
everything that we are and everything tnat we have, with 
the pride of those who know that the day has come when 
America is privileged to spend her blooa and her might for 
the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the 
peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do 
no other. 



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